We're seriously toying with the idea of a couple of weeks in Iceland next year, with the intention of visiting a few of the lava tubes there. Does anyone have any information/contacts? We'd be particularly keen on hooking up with some friendly Icelandic cavers for a trip or two - and of course would be more than happy to reciprocate should said Icelandic cavers consider some Brit. caves worth a visit!

Thnx in advance.

Z!

Logged

"The world is a book. Those who do not travel read only one page" St. Augustine.

GEYSERS AND HOT SPRINGS IN ICELAND by Björn Hroarsson and Sigurour S Jonsson 1992 158 pp over 150 colour photos maps etc. Land of Fire and Water, Iceland is famous for its geothermal activity. Only one of these springs is in a cave. Beautifully illustrated with high quality photos printed on art paper. In English. HB DW

ICELANDIC PICTURES drawn with pen and pencil by Frederick W W Howell 1893 176 pp numerous illus and map. With a description and engraving of Surtshellir - the most famous cave in Iceland. Complete with original picture cover. HB

Very short notice i know ..... i'm off to Iceland 3rd-10th September 2013 on a sight seeing expedition with super/collider ..... I would love to do a small bit of caving/lava tube viewing whilst there - would really appreciate some help from anyone and any contacts of icelandic cavers who might like to show me around!?

The Shepton Mallet Caving Club have a lot of info on Icelandic caves in their library (both Shepton journals and other books) - if you can get to mendip at some point before you go you would be welcome to have a nosy through their collection.

The best contact for Icelandic cavers is Bjorn Hroarrson - an Icelandic caver / photographer / explorer, who has written a number of books on Icelandic caves, such as http://www.forlagid.is/?p=4938 (in Icelandic, but you should be able to work out basic information such as GPS coordinates). Bjorn is currently running a travel agency with his son, so if you wanted to go on a guided trip you might want to get in touch with him - the website is http://www.extremeiceland.is and http://www.cavinginiceland.is

Icelandic caves are lava tubes with (generally) horizontal passages (no underground pitches). Lava is very sharp, so gloves, tough boots and hard knee pads (eg skateboarding knee pads) are recommended. Some caves can be cold, with decent sized ice formations forming in the winter months, so thermal layers under a boilersuit is probably the best clothing to wear. They are (generally) dry with no streams in them.

Everything Complex has said is good, he ought to know as he lived there for a few years! Given your timescales though, I can send you some useful stuff quickly. So if you PM me your email address I'll send you some stuff through.

Cheers,

Ed

Logged

Size matters not, look at me Judge me by my size do you? And well you should not...

I can't find any of the books mentioned online and the Shepton Mallet journals about iceland do not appear to be for sale on their for-sale page. The book Complex linked is not about Icelandic caves and is something to do with nazi's so I am after some up-to-date information...

I too am going off to Iceland next month (June) and if possible I would like a copy of your information Ed W that you have been sending people. I doubt I am going to get down to Mendip between now and then to look at club journals. If anyone else has any useful information to send me or indeed going caving there and would not mind me and one other to tag alone.

Thanks

Alex

« Last Edit: May 15, 2018, 01:05:06 pm by Alex »

Logged

Anything I say is represents my own opinion and not that of a any club/organisation that I am a member of (unless its good of course)

I can't find any of the books mentioned online and the Shepton Mallet journals about iceland do not appear to be for sale on their for-sale page. The book Complex linked is not about Icelandic caves and is something to do with nazi's so I am after some up-to-date information...

You may find this link useful. There is an indication of what is available from the BCL.

We had a really nice trip to Iceland's longest (and second longest) lava tubes; Surtshellir and Stefánshellir.

Drive to where the gravel road turns into an F-road, then walk for several hours down the F-road to the cave. We left the car in the evening and did a night hike, camped and woke up to an incredible view. Was a bit chilly, the tent was frosty. You could send a good day exploring this area. Closeish to Borgnes.